News Analysis India

Tag: ventilator

  • Over 5500 ventilators lying unused in different states; Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka biggest defaulters

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: 

    An 85-year-old senior doctor, JK Mishra, at Swarup Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj (UP) lost his life on April 26 after he was unable to find a ventilator bed at the hospital where he had served for 50 years.

    In Palanpur town of Banaskantha district of Gujarat, Dr Naresh Shah, 79, died on April 22 as his family members could not find a ventilator bed.

    Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Pt Rajan Mishra died of COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Delhi on April 26. His son claimed that the family had been desperately hunting for a ventilator “but nobody supported us” and by the time the PMO reached out, “he had left us”.

    Short supply of ventilators during the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 cost numerous lives. But even as patients suffered due to lack of critical life-saving medical equipment, hundreds of machines delivered to various states were lying unused.

    Till the end of May, over 5,500 ventilators were gathering dust in storerooms in various states, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed in its reply to a query filed by The New Indian Express under the Right of Information (RTI) Act. The reply revealed a substantial gap between the number of ventilators ordered, delivered and installed in hospitals across the country.

    As per the reply, the ministry ordered 60,559 ventilators from different manufacturers, of which 46,511 were allocated to states. Rest were for Central government hospitals. According to the ministry, 45,191 ventilators were delivered, of which 39,640 were installed by states till May 25, leaving 5,551 unused.

    Unused ventilators pile up: Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat among biggest defaulters

    Amid reports of dire paucity of ventilators even as positive cases were recording massive daily spikes during April-May, there were sharp exchanges between the Centre and some Congress-ruled states over shortage as well as faulty machines being delivered.

    On April 11, the Union health secretary had written a letter to some states, including Punjab, to act on the ventilators lying idle in their possession. “Noncommissioning of the ventilators defeats the purpose” of fighting the pandemic, he said in his letter to Punjab chief secretary Viny Mahajan.

    According to the RTI reply, however, it was BJP-ruled UP, Karnataka and Gujarat where the maximum number of ventilators were lying unutilised. Of the total 5,116 machines delivered to Uttar Pradesh, 4,010 were up and running till May-end while 1,106 were still to be installed.

    Gujarat and Karnataka recorded delivery of 5,600 and 2,913 ventilators, of which they installed 4,991 and 2,004, respectively. That means, over 900 ventilators in Karnataka and over 600 in Gujarat were lying idle.

    On the contrary, Congress-ruled Punjab and Rajasthan had only 56 and 29 idle ventilators, respectively. Among opposition-ruled states, Jharkhand was the biggest defaulter with only 461 of the total 1,210 ventilators installed.

    In Madhya Pradesh, even as patients were in desperate need of ventilator beds, the state government told the high court earlier this month that 204 ventilators were kept in storeroom as “backup”. During the peak of the second wave in May, Punjab and Rajasthan governments had alleged that the ventilators supplied to them under PM-CARES were found to be “defective and sub-standard” by hospitals that used them.

    There were dozens of reports from other states, including Maharashtra, too, about hundreds of machines lying defunct as they were faulty. In many cases, the devices were unpacked because the hospital lacked trained healthcare professionals to operate them.

    Regarding a query on non-functional ventilators or ventilators returned to manufacturers, the health ministry in its RTI said “the information is not available centrally”. It disclosed that it had ordered a performance audit after receiving complaints.

    “After some reports of ventilators lying unutilised in some States, the ministry ordered to carry out a performance audit of installation/commissioning and operation of ventilators provided by the Centre to States/UTs,” said the RTI reply. There was also a huge difference in the prices of ventilators purchased by the government from different companies.

    While 30,000 machines were ordered from Bharat Electronics at Rs 5,04,640 per unit, 9,500 units were ordered from AMTZ (Basic) at the rate of Rs 1,66,376 per piece. Allied Medical supplied 350 equipment at Rs 8,62,400 per unit.

    About 1,000 ventilators were procured from Sinopharm at Rs 10,89,500 per unit and 771 units were ordered from Hamilton at Rs 10,32,400 per piece while 15 nits purchased from Draeger cost Rs 17 lakh each.

  • Ventilator recovery rate reached 70% in Chhattisgarh, these patients are less likely to survive

    In Chhattisgarh, there is an outcry over the Karona infection. Meanwhile, there is news of relief. The death rate has come down in the state. Last month the recovery rate from ventilator was 80%. Right now it is 70%.

    Dr. OP Sundarani, member of the State Death Review Committee, said that the process of death can be stopped only when people become aware. The patients will reach the hospital on time and seek treatment. Then the probability of survival is 98 percent. But when the patient reaches direct oxygen or ventilator, it is worrying.
    Dr. Sundarani, the state’s largest government hospital Makehara Critical Care Incharge, said that on one hand the recovery rate has increased in the state, but on the other hand the recovery rate from ventilator has come down. Last month the recovery rate was 80%, but this month has come down by 10 percent. That is, the recovery rate has reached 80% to 70%.
    He said that people are making mistake in checking oxygen level. Even after the oxygen is low, they are doing the treatment themselves. The doctors here are not able to give the correct information. In such a situation, the oxygen of the patients drops very fast. The chance of survival of patients with oxygen of 90-94 is 98 percent. But after coming in oxygen support, chances of survival start to decrease.

  • 67 new ventilators lying unused at COVID isolation ward in UP’s Firozabad

    By PTI
    FIROZABAD: A total of 67 new ventilators are lying unused at the 100-bedded COVID-19 isolation ward set up at a medical college here, a senior doctor has said.

    When contacted, Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Alok Kumar Sharma said that last year, the medical college had got 96 ventilators under the PM-CARES Fund, and in all there are 114 ventilators available at the medical college.

    Of these, 25-30 ventilators are being used to provide treatment to patients.

    He added that of the 67 ventilators, which are kept in a store room of the hospital, around 60-62 are in working condition.

    Kumar, however, did not elaborate on the rest of the ventilators.

    Principal of the medical college, Dr Sangeeta Aneja said, that the state medical department has been informed that 67 ventilators are there in the hospital.

    In a letter to the state health department, it was also requested that if there is a need of a ventilator in any nearby district, then it could be sent there.

    “Currently, we have ventilators, and they will be used when required. For operation of ventilators, technicians are needed, which we do not have in adequate numbers,” she said.

  • The third wave of corona may come, you should also be cautious

    MP Sunil Soni held a review meeting with AIIMS management on availability of oxygen, ventilator, vaccination and other essential equipment at Raipur AIIMS. During the brainstorm on the arrangement of the hospital, a surprising thing also came to light. AIIMS director Dr. Nitin M. Nagerkar did not rule out the possibility of a third wave of Kovid and said that everyone needs to be prepared for it. On this occasion, experts informed them that the second wave of Kovid-19 is proving more deadly. Despite this, serious patients are reaching specialists late. Many patients are arriving after taking all medicines from private physicians. The death rate remains higher than this. MP Soni praised the doctors working in various government hospitals including AIIMS and said that they need to cure more and more patients while protecting themselves from infection.

    In this period of epidemic, doctors remain the ray of hope of the society. He said that with the help of social organizations and industrial institutions, he is constantly making efforts to strengthen the medical institutions from hospitals to voluntary organizations. He received information about ventilators, oxygen and vaccination in AIIMS. Also know about the double mutation of Kovid virus.

    AIIMS director Dr. Nitin M. Nagerkar said that after the second wave, most of the serious patients are coming to AIIMS. Most of these patients are arriving late, whose oxygen level is very low or they are bringing all medicines from private doctors. In such a situation, it becomes challenging to bring them back to normalcy. He said that most patients are in need of oxygen and steroid immediately. AIIMS has provided adequate oxygen beds for this. He also apprised MP Soni about vaccination and availability of oxygen.

  • Global support pours in for India’s COVID fight as UK to send ventilators, oxygen concentrators

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country.

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent “tragic loss” of life from the “terrible virus”.

    The UK high commission here said the support follows a request from India and Prime Minister Johnson’s pledge for the UK to do all it can to help the country.

    “We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19,” Johnson was quoted in a statement released by the high commission.

    “We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I’m determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against the pandemic,” he said.

    The high commission said more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment are being sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19.

    It said the ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices are due to leave the UK on Sunday and the first shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi early on Tuesday with further consignments reaching later this week.

    “In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week,” it said.

    It said the equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India.

    “The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out,” it said.

    The high commission said the assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks.

    “The UK is working closely with the government of India to identify further assistance it can provide in the coming days,” it said.

    Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK is supporting India with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for the country.

    “We have all got to work together to tackle COVID-19. India is a very important partner to us, so we’re providing oxygen concentrators and ventilators to help save the lives of the most vulnerable,” he said.

    “We will be following up on this first delivery with further support, based on our ongoing discussions with the Indian Government,” he added.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has said: “The heart-breaking scenes in India show once again how awful this terrible disease is.”

    “We are determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time, and I am hugely grateful to those who have worked hard to make this initial delivery happen,” he added.

    Hancock said the UK stands ready to do more.

    “The global pandemic has challenged health systems all across the world and the best way to overcome adversity is to unite and defeat this dreadful disease together,” he said.

    India is struggling with a second wave of coronavirus infection and hospitals in several states are reeling under shortage of medical oxygen and beds in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

    The country recorded over three lakh-plus coronavirus cases for the fourth straight day.

    Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday said her government is “urgently” preparing a “mission of support” for India as it battles a massive spike in coronavirus cases that has triggered a severe shortage of medical oxygen in several states.

    In a message, Merkel said Germany stands in solidarity with India in the “common fight” against the pandemic.

    “To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities,” Merkel said.

    “The fight against the pandemic is our common fight. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support,” added.

    Her message was shared on Twitter by German Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner.

    Afghan President Ashraf Ghani too expressed solidarity with India as it reels under the second wave of the pandemic.

    “Our hearts go out to the Indian people & government as they fight the horrendous outbreak of COVID. On behalf of the Afghan people & government, we send our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones & wish a quick recovery to those who are suffering from the virus,” Ghani tweeted.

    Afghan foreign minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar said India has the prayers and support of all those nations that it has assisted generously with COVID-19 vaccines.

    “Our hearts & prayers go to all the great people of India at this time of national struggle against Covid-19. India has the prayers and support of all those nations that it has assisted generously with COVID vaccines.”

    “India will come out of it even stronger,” he said.

    On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with India and offered his country’s support to it.

    “I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no one. We stand ready to provide our support,” Macron said.

    India is struggling with the second wave of coronavirus infection and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

    The country recorded over three lakh-plus coronavirus cases for the fourth straight day.

  • AIIMS panel advises taking Union minister Shripad Naik off ventilator

    By PTI
    PANAJI: An AIIMS team which reviewed the health condition of Union minister Shripad Naik, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Goa following an accident, has advised to take him off the ventilator on Wednesday, an official from the team said.

    Taking to reporters late Tuesday night, the official also said they are satisfied with Naik’s breathing, blood pressure and other health parameters.

    The team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, arrived in Goa on Tuesday evening and visited Naik at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) located in Porvorim.

    They later held discussions with doctors of the GMCH over the line of treatment for the 68-year-old Union Minister of State for Defence and AYUSH, a senior official from the Goa-based hospital said.

    State Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was also present along with the team at the GMCH.

    Talking to reporters late Tuesday night at the GMCH, one of the members from the AIIMS team said, “We are satisfied with his breathing, blood pressure and other health parameters.

    We have seen him and given advice to take him off the ventilator tomorrow (Wednesday).

    ” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday visited Naik at the GMCH and later said his condition is stable and he is out of danger.

    Naik received injuries, while his wife Vijaya and an aide died on Monday when their car met with the accident near Ankola in Uttar Kannada district, while he was returning to home state Goa from Dharmasthala in neighbouring Karnataka.

    Naik was admitted to the GMCH late Monday night.

    GMCH Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar on Tuesday said when Naik was brought to the GMCH, he was critical but later he responded to treatment and is gaining consciousness.

    Four major surgeries were performed on him, he said.

    Bandekar said Naik will continue to be in the hospital for another 10 to 15 days after which it will take at least three to four months for him to recuperate completely.

  • Cong leader Anand Sharma praises Modi govt’s effort during the Covid lockdown

    Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Anand Sharma praised the Modi government’s work during the Covid-19 lockdown. Anand Sharma was attending the 93rd FICCI Annual Convention where he said that India’s economy contracted due to Covid-19.

    Our economy contracted due to COVID19 but our capacity increment in terms of manufacturing PPE kits, ventilators & other equipment is a credit to the people, society, & govt. We got together as a nation to respond,  Anand Sharma said

    Anand Sharma said that PM Modi’s visit to the units of three vaccine manufacturers in the country to review the progress of Covid-19 vaccine development and manufacturing process, will lift the morale of frontline warriors.

    “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visit to Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadilla was a recognition of Indian scientists and their work to produce the vaccine for COVID-19 That alone will lift the morale of frontline warriors and reassure the nation,” Sharma said in a tweet.